See Also: Fraction(medicine)
fraction(dictionary)
fraction(encyclopedia)
fraction(dictionary)
FRACTION(law)
ejection fraction(medicine)
vulgar fraction(dictionary)
proper fraction(dictionary)
improper fraction(dictionary)
aetiological fraction(medicine)

fraction (iou)



fraction noun. LME.
[Old & mod. French from Christian Latin fractio(n-) breaking (as of bread), from Latin fract- pa. ppl stem of frangere break: see -ION.]
Math. A numerical quantity that is not a whole number; one or more aliquot parts of a unit or whole number; any quantity expressed as a numerator (written above a horizontal line) divided by a denominator (written below the line); a small proportion or (loosely) amount. LME.
continued fraction, decimal fraction, improper fraction, proper fraction, vulgar fraction, etc.
L. A. G. Strong Walter tried a masse shot, and missed by the fraction of an inch. B. Bainbridge It skimmed the air a fraction above Adolf's head.
a. The dividing of bread in the Eucharist. LME.
b. gen. The action of breaking or disrupting; (formerly) refraction. Now rare or obsolete. M16.
O. Feltham When the Affections are glewed to the world, Death makes not a Dissolution, but a Fraction.
The result of breaking; the state of being broken; a fracture, a breach, a fissure. LME-L18.
An interruption of harmony; discord; a breach of the peace; a rupture. E16-L18.
A thing broken off; a disconnected portion; a small piece. Now rare. E17.
A portion of a one-square-mile section of undeveloped land. US. L18.
Each of the portions, differing in physical or chemical properties, into which a mixture may be separated by distillation or another process. M19.
An organized group of Communists within a non-Communist body such as a trade union; any deviant or schismatic group. E20.